El Valle de Anton - Chorro El Macho waterfall

After a few initial days in Panama City we rented a car and headed to the country  spending two days in El Valle de Anton.  After a monster traffic jam on the PanAmerican Highway we finally made it.  El Valle is a small village inside a long extinct volcano. 

Looking down into El Valle

Panama City, Panama - Metropolitan National Park and Old Town Casco Viejo

So TexanTreks survived the adventure to Panama!  It was magnificent and aside from a rainforest chigger invasion the trip was a total success.  A few days in Panama City, followed by two days in El Valle de Anton, followed by a few days in Gamboa with a fabulous daytrip to Portobelo mixed in.  Tough to followup the wonderful Peru trip, but Panama held its own quite nicely.

The flights were not a problem at all getting to Panama.  Even navigated the horrid Miami airport as best as possible.  Easily my most hated airport in the world!  We landed in Panama City late night and took a taxi from the airport to our hotel.  Unfortunately it was dark and we were unable to see the wonders of Panama City until the next day.

Up early the next day and it was time to start the adventure.  The plan was to stay around the city opening day and check out Old Town (Casco Viejo) and hike a bit in the Metropolitan Nature Park.  The decision was to hike in the morning before the day heated up.  Good decision for sure.